Last checked: 5 October 2026
The short answer: EU and EEA licences stay valid in Spain while in date. Any other licence works for six months from the day you become legally resident. After that, you exchange it if your country has an agreement with Spain, or pass the Spanish theory and practical tests. The UK has had an agreement since March 2023; the US and China have none, so drivers from those countries go through an autoescuela.
Key facts
- EU and EEA licences (plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) stay valid while in date. Exchanging is optional.
- Other foreign licences are valid for six months from the date you become legally resident.
- Spain has exchange agreements with about 30 countries, including the UK, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Morocco and Ukraine. The US and China are not on the list. (DGT, updated 26 June 2026)
- Exchanging a car or motorbike licence needs no test and costs €28.87 in DGT fees.
- A licence obtained while you were already living in Spain generally can’t be exchanged. South Korea is the one exception.
- Since 2025, most exchanges can be done online through the DGT’s sede electrónica with Cl@ve or a certificado digital.
- Getting a Spanish licence from scratch costs roughly €700–1,500, and waits for lessons and exams can run a month or more.
Driving is the deadline people forget. Your licence still works when you land, so it slips down the list, until the six months are nearly up and the autoescuela waiting list is longer than the time you have left.
Which route applies to you
| Your licence | What you need to do | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway | Nothing; exchange is optional | None while in date |
| Country with an exchange agreement (UK, Switzerland, Japan and others) | Exchange (canje) through the DGT, no test for cars | Six months from legal residence |
| Country without an agreement (US, China and others) | Theory and practical exams via an autoescuela | Six months from legal residence |
Countries with an exchange agreement (DGT list, June 2026): Andorra, Algeria, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Serbia, South Korea, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Uruguay. Check the DGT page for your country before you start, as the list changes.
Exchanging your licence (canje)
You’ll need:
- Your original licence, which is surrendered, plus a sworn translation if it isn’t in Spanish
- Your TIE or NIE and a padrón certificate
- A medical-psychotechnical certificate from an authorised centre in Spain, typically €30–50
- Passport-style photos and the DGT fee (€28.87 for a car or motorbike licence)
Start on the DGT’s sede electrónica and select your country to see its requirements. A representative, such as a gestoría, can also handle it with proper authorisation.
Getting a Spanish licence from scratch
- Enrol in an autoescuela. You can start with just your passport and take lessons before your NIE/TIE is ready. You can’t book the official exam without it.
- Theory exam. Thirty multiple-choice questions on Spanish traffic law. Experienced drivers often stumble on the legal wording, not the driving knowledge.
- Practical exam on open roads. There’s no legal minimum number of lessons, but a few help you learn the local exam routes and how examiners assess.
Enrol and book your first lesson early. Waits for lessons and exam slots can eat into your six months.
FAQ
Can I exchange a UK driving licence in Spain? Yes. The UK–Spain agreement has been in force since 16 March 2023, and car licences are exchanged without a test. Apply within six months of becoming resident, with a licence you got before moving here.
Can I drive in Spain on a US licence? For six months from becoming legally resident. There’s no exchange agreement, so you then need a Spanish licence through an autoescuela.
How much does it cost to get a driving licence in Valencia? Roughly €700–1,500 in total, depending mainly on how many practical lessons you need. An exchange costs far less: €28.87 in DGT fees plus the medical certificate.
Do I need to exchange my EU licence? No. EU/EEA licences stay valid while in date. Exchanging is optional.
Is an International Driving Permit enough? Only as a short-term supplement to your original licence. It doesn’t replace the exchange or a Spanish licence once you live here.
Related guides
Check the DGT list for your country this week, not in month five. If you can exchange, most of it now happens online. If you can’t, sign up with an autoescuela early: the theory book is a lot easier with time to spare than with a deadline looming.
